"I've always [carried a football] because I love it," Craan told the Boston Globe. "I can't be without it. It started back in elementary school. In recess they'd never have a football, only kickball. So I brought my own. I carried it all the time. And I still do.''

That's a long ways from where the Patriots were when head coach Mike Robichaud took charge of the program two years ago. Craan has been a huge part of the program's rebuilding job, powering a run-first wing-T attack that relies on having a versatile featured back.

"We're a run-first team,'' Robichaud told the Globe. "Some may call it boring, but we think it's pretty good. We rely heavily on our line and specifically our guards. They kick-start the whole thing. When we get one of those guys out in front of George, good things happen.

"George is a guy - in terms of his focus, his enthusiasm, and how supportive he is of his teammates - he's everything you want in a player. He's a great motivator and a hard worker. Every play, every game, he's going all out. He's not going to overlook anyone or take any opponent lightly.''

If Craan does lead the Patriots to a Super Bowl title, he'll fulfill a promise he made to Robichaud on one of the coach's first days on the job.

"We were at a basketball game and he walked right over. ‘Congratulations,' he said. ‘Coach, we're going to win a Super Bowl.' I laughed and told him we've got a long way to go.''

The Patriots are almost there, thanks to a guy who has carried a football for more than 4,000 days in a row.

"We want nothing more than postseason success,'' Craan told the Globe. "But we're not there yet."